Ricken-freak

[avocado]

Can anyone explain a suitable application for an 8 string bass? I can't imagine it working in a band mix, although maybe it'd be good if you're seeking an unusual sound for a solo piece. I get 12 string guitars for the doubled chorus effect, but on a bass it's just.... overkill?

Jimi Hendrix used a Hagstrom 8 string on Spanish Castle Magic (reports are mixed as to whether it was Jimi or Noel Redding playing on the track). I was in a garage band trio and had GAS for an 8- or 12-string pretty badly to fill up the sound on certain songs, but sadly, I did not have the requisite GAF.

 

[Muddslide]

Mentioned it earlier, and I am aware it won't fully replicate a double-coursed bass, but what does anyone think of using an octave pedal to somewhat mimic an 8 string?

I used to be a pedal freak, but only ever used an octave pedal with guitars.

 

[Wolfenstein666]

Mentioned it earlier, and I am aware it won't fully replicate a double-coursed bass, but what does anyone think of using an octave pedal to somewhat mimic an 8 string?

I used to be a pedal freak, but only ever used an octave pedal with guitars.

I've sort of messed with an octave pedal on my bass before. I wasn't doing anything serious with as I have no need/desire to use one, but it didn't sound bad. I'm sure it wouldn't stack up to an actual 8 string but it didn't sound overly muddy and produced a pretty good octave effect.

 

[electracoyote]

Mentioned it earlier, and I am aware it won't fully replicate a double-coursed bass, but what does anyone think of using an octave pedal to somewhat mimic an 8 string?

I used to be a pedal freak, but only ever used an octave pedal with guitars.

It's a good thought, but doesn't really come very close IMHO.

The unique sound of a coursed instrument is that the strings are vibrating at different rates, the rates change differently over time, and the harmonic content is constantly shifting between clash and compliment. It's like two singers trying to sing the same melody an octave apart but never being perfectly intonated with each other. You can't quite get that with an octave pedal, which is too precise.

I haven't tried it on bass, but I had better results with chorus pedals on guitar.

 

[hieronymous]

I've been fortunate to own a few 8-string basses - in fact, both Rics in the picture Woody posted were mine at one point, now I only have the black one. I prefer the octave string on top arrangement, had my 4003S/8 modded for that. I always play it with a pick. My first 8-string was a Tune - it was nice, but I didn't like the electronics and sold it when I moved back to the US from Japan.

My 8-string Ric is a great instrument - I love Rickenbackers but recognize that they are very idiosyncratic instruments, and the 8-string is even more so!

I don't think an octave pedal is a replacement for an 8-string - you can approximate some things for sure, and of course it's more convenient. It really depends on what you are going for.

Here is an early piece that I composed on the Tune, recorded with the Ric before I had the courses switched:



And here's something more recent in a more "traditional" band setting (just a demo, lots of flubs but I like the performance):

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

It would be fun to have a double-neck with fretted 8 & 4 strings, so you could switch within a song!

 

[Wolfenstein666]

I just checked the sale from my OP, it sold for 2780.

 

[hieronymous]

I just checked the sale from my OP, it sold for 2780.

That sounds about right to me - 8s don't show up often and the color is awesome!

 

[Wolfenstein666]

Honestly after learning about them from this thread I thought it would've went for more.

 

[bholder]

I have a very real 4003s/8. They do exist.

 

[bholder]

John Paul Jones also used an 8 from time to time, "Achillies Last Stand" comes to mind. Entwistle used them also. Chris Squire used one on "The Revealing Science Of God" on TFTO if I remember correctly.

One of my most very favorite, and imho, underrated, Zepplin tunes. Thanks, didn't know it was an 8, I thought it was doubled on guitar.

 

[Thornton Davis]

I just checked the sale from my OP, it sold for 2780.

I happened to be logged into My Ebay last night and watched the last 3 minutes of this auction. It went from $1735.00 to $2780.00 in that short amount of time. I'm sure it would have gone higher but time ran out.

TD

 

[Wolfenstein666]

I happened to be logged into My Ebay last night and watched the last 3 minutes of this auction. It went from $1735.00 to $2780.00 in that short amount of time. I'm sure it would have gone higher but time ran out.

TD

Woah that's insane. People were watching that one like hawks.

 

[LimaGuy]

Rickenbacker 8 String Bass Guitar Brown Red Must See | eBay

uh....what?

There's no way this thing is real. Why in the #$%@ would Ric ever make something like this?

Gentleman,
Just an FYI on this bass that was for sale on ebay.

The bass belongs to a gentleman from Staten Island, NY.
It was stolen from him along with his MusicMan Stingray and pawned off and sold through this Pawn shop who used a bogus Florida address.

The 8 String Rickenbacker was sold to someone in the UK.
They are trying to work out the details to get the bass back to him.
Obviously he is very upset by loosing such a rare instrument.

This is legit, he is the uncle of the guitarist for Blue Oyster Cult.
And his family owns a 3 Music stores in Staten Island New York.

Here is the link in the Stolen gear thread.

Stolen 8 String Rickenbacker & 4 String Music Man Stingray | TalkBass.com

Here is a photo of him holding his bass.

Please PM me if you this bass appears in any threads from the person who won the eBay listing.

Thanks so much.

 

[rekesbass]

My biggest regret in life was selling my 4008...I had one in gloss walnut and it matched my 4001(which still have BTW)..that bass sounded monstrous.

 

[Wolfenstein666]

Gentleman,
Just an FYI on this bass that was for sale on ebay.

The bass belongs to a gentleman from Staten Island, NY.
It was stolen from him along with his MusicMan Stingray and pawned off and sold through this Pawn shop who used a bogus Florida address.

The 8 String Rickenbacker was sold to someone in the UK.
They are trying to work out the details to get the bass back to him.
Obviously he is very upset by loosing such a rare instrument.

This is legit, he is the uncle of the guitarist for Blue Oyster Cult.
And his family owns a 3 Music stores in Staten Island New York.

Here is the link in the Stolen gear thread.

Stolen 8 String Rickenbacker & 4 String Music Man Stingray | TalkBass.com

Here is a photo of him holding his bass.

Please PM me if you this bass appears in any threads from the person who won the eBay listing.

Thanks so much.

Wow man, I will certainly keep an eye out.

 

[Phil Castellano]

Yet another Ric design feature I've never seen. Wow! Again, if I would've stumbled across that on my own I wouldn't have believed it was real. That's pretty bizarre looking! A dramatic departure from what they normally do.

I would like to thank the registry for help. The Rick 8 string was stolen from my house last month made it's way to a pawn shop in staten island, sold from an ebay account in boyton beach florida.
Please contact me if you know who has it. I am being told it is expensive to get MY OWN bas back.

My name is phil castellano 917-376-5016

PS it is the real thing and I have NOT played it in 20 years...

Rickenbacker 8 String Bass Guitar Brown Red Must See | eBay

uh....what?

There's no way this thing is real. Why in the #$%@ would Ric ever make something like this?

 

[Phil Castellano]

This is a picture of my 8 string & Stingray Basses that were stolen from MY house about a month ago.
They were sold on EBAY about a week ago the rick was shipped to England and the Stingray in America
If you have any details text or call me at 9173765016 Look me up on Facebook Phil Castellano
Notice the Grain on the Music Man that is what makes it unique, a Fingerprint..
If you could help let me know..